Product Management with AI: Evolving, Not Erasing
PM as a Function Isn’t Going Away
Despite concerns that AI may replace Product Managers, the core function of product management remains essential. Andrew Ng’s prediction of shifting team ratios indicates a move toward one developer for every two product managers. This actually signals the growing importance of strategic product thinking, not its decline. As technology becomes increasingly complex and user expectations rise, the need for skilled product strategists (and managers) grows.
PMs Are More Than JIRA Creators
The stereotype of Product Managers as glorified task managers or “JIRA jockeys” misses the real value they bring. True product management involves market research, customer empathy, strategic roadmapping, cross-functional alignment, and making complex trade-off decisions. These human-centered skills—understanding customer pain points, translating business needs into technical requirements, and orchestrating team dynamics—cannot be automated away.
PM Function Continues to Deliver Value When Deployed Correctly
When Product Managers focus on their core competencies—customer discovery, market analysis, strategic planning, and stakeholder management—they deliver exponential value. The key is deploying PMs in roles that leverage their unique abilities to bridge business and technical domains. They should not be relegated to administrative tasks that AI could handle.
PM Will Leverage AI as a Tool for Enhanced Agility
Smart Product Managers will embrace AI as a force multiplier, not a threat. AI can automate routine tasks like data analysis, competitive research, user feedback synthesis, and even initial requirement drafting. This automation frees PMs to focus on higher-value activities. These include strategic thinking, building customer relationships, innovation, and leading cross-functional teams toward shared goals.
The future belongs to Product Managers who evolve from task coordinators to strategic orchestrators. They use AI to become more agile and proactive. They focus on what humans do best—understanding people and driving meaningful innovation.
